Hance to chair We Work For Health Texas

Kent Hance, Texas Tech University System chancellor and former U.S. congressman and Texas Railroad Commissioner, has been named chairman of We Work For Health Texas, a nonpartisan group designed to bring together consumers, health care advocates, biopharmaceutical companies and businesses to improve the state's health care system.

Hance will head the organization's efforts to raise awareness about Texas' health care and medical research sectors to improve the economy and create jobs.

Tom Kowalski, president of the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute in Austin, will serve as vice chairman of the organization.

According to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, biopharmaceutical companies supported more than 130,000 jobs in Texas in 2011, directly employing 32,000 people. That same year, biopharmaceutical businesses supported $31.2 billion in economic activity.